IPL 2026: Patidar: Mindset is the same as last year’s final
Unfazed by Legacy, Patidar Focuses on the Present
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare for Sunday’s monumental IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, captain Rajat Patidar is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. For Patidar, this high-stakes clash is not about cementing a personal legacy, nor is he losing sleep over potential T20I selection or the prospect of captaining the Indian national side. Instead, his focus is entirely locked on enjoying the culmination of a grueling season that RCB has worked incredibly hard to navigate.
Speaking to the media ahead of RCB’s crucial training session in Ahmedabad, Patidar exuded a sense of calm authority. When asked about his leadership style and comparisons to previous captains, he was characteristically modest. “I’ve never thought about what other captains have done before or whether I want to compete with someone,” Patidar remarked. “As an individual, my journey has had its ups and downs, but I’ve never focused on that [captaincy, legacy]. Wherever I am, I focus on what I can do best in that moment. I’ve never thought too much about moving forward or looking back. Right now, we’re focused on giving our best in the final.”
The Quest for Back-to-Back Titles
This unwavering focus on the present moment is what defined RCB’s triumphant campaign in 2025, which was Patidar’s very first season at the helm. Despite winning the silverware last year, Patidar insists there is no added pressure to prove a point. Instead, he views every match as a learning opportunity, aided by the immense support he receives from the franchise’s leadership and seasoned veterans.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from so many experienced players,” he said. “At the same time, I’ve never tried to change myself. It’s important to be yourself. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I need to become someone different. The management has played a big role. They’ve never forced me to be anyone else. They know what kind of person I am. The senior players also understand that. I’ve had good backing from both the management and the senior players, so I’ve never really faced any problems. I’m just staying in my zone and that’s helping me.”
While external chatter continues to build around his potential leadership role for the national team on upcoming tours to Ireland and England, Patidar brushed off the speculation with a straightforward reply. “I haven’t visualised myself as India’s T20 captain,” he stated. “But every captain wants to win trophies. We won one last year, but this is a new season. You can’t keep talking about what happened in 2025. You have to stay in the present and focus on what you can do now to win another title.”
When drawing comparisons to the anticipation of last year’s final, Patidar explained that the team’s core approach remains identical. “To be honest, I don’t think we’ve changed much,” Patidar explained. “The mindset is the same. We’re not thinking like defending champions. We don’t see it as defending something we won in 2025. It’s a new season and a new opportunity. Our mindset is that we’re here to win another title.” This philosophy of treating each final as a fresh challenge rather than a defense of past glory has kept the squad hungry and focused.
Empowering the Youth: From Anxious Rookie to Inspiring Leader
One of Patidar’s most significant contributions to RCB’s sustained success has been his conscious effort to mentor and empower the younger players within the squad. He understands the daunting nature of the IPL stage, having experienced those exact emotions when he first broke into the setup back in 2021.
“I always try to spend time with them,” Patidar shared, reflecting on his interaction with the younger contingent. “I tell them it’s important to be yourself and trust your strengths. I’ve been in that situation myself. In 2021, I was looking at all the senior players and there was naturally some anxiety and nervousness. What I tell them is that they don’t need to worry about who’s standing in front of them or who is in the dressing room. They’re here because they deserve to be here. Focus on your strengths and on the things you can control. That’s the main message.”
Rasikh Dar and the Collective Bowling Effort
This empowerment has paid rich dividends on the field, most notably in the performance of young speedster Rasikh Dar. With key bowler Yash Dayal sidelined, Dar has stepped up magnificently to fill the void. He has emerged as RCB’s second-highest wicket-taker this season, claiming 16 crucial breakthroughs to keep opponents in check.
Patidar was full of praise for the young bowler’s impact and emphasized the collective effort required to win championships. “When you have bowlers like Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] and Hazlewood, you still need support from the rest of the attack,” Patidar explained. “The way Rasikh has come in and provided breakthroughs has been very important. You can’t win matches or tournaments relying on just one or two bowlers. He’s bowled superbly throughout the tournament and helped ensure the workload isn’t falling only on a couple of players. It’s been a genuine team effort.”
A Cultural Shift: Designing a Winning Legacy
RCB’s journey over the last six seasons has been marked by remarkable consistency, yielding five playoff appearances. For Patidar, this sustained success is the result of a profound cultural shift within the dressing room, centered around individual responsibility and an uncompromising desire to win.
“My observation is that every player now takes responsibility, whether it’s with the bat or the ball,” Patidar concluded. “Responsibility is probably the key word. Every individual is keen to contribute and do something for the team. The other thing is the mindset. We’re not here just to qualify for the playoffs. We’re here to play finals and win finals. I think that mindset has changed the most.”
